forever - [book two in the amorous series]

fourteen - therapy?

Michonne

"So you're already pregnant?"

I looked at Dr. Jannen and then down at my hands.

"I don't really know. I'm really late on my period."

"And you think that if you tell Rick about what Mike did, he'll go try to kill him?"

"Well, I won't say that because then you'll have to 'report it'. But I definitely think he'd be furious. And I've only seen him like that a couple times since we met, so I really don't want that to happen."

"So, how are you going to go about telling him then?"

I looked up at her before I spoke.

"I'm open to suggestions."

She nodded. "Well, for starters, I don't think that you should tell him you're pregnant until you take a test. That may infuriate him even more so than he already will be. I think that you should be clear and up front with him. Sit him down and break it to him gently enough that he won't react in a way that'll end up with someone hurt." 

I sighed. 

"You're telling me to tell him today?"

She shook her head slowly. 

"Michonne, I'm telling you to tell him when you're ready. However, I do believe that prolonging the entire situation could potentially make it worse when it does actually happen." 

There was a brief silence. "You do know him far better than I do. It may not make a difference either way." 

I nodded. "I just... I just want him to know that my distance isn't his fault. He has a habit for blaming himself for things that aren't his fault." 

"Make sure you make it clear. Make sure that you're very gentle with him but also very open with him. He loves you. He just wants you to be happy."

I looked at her and nodded. "You're right.. you're absolutely right."

I twiddled my thumbs before speaking again.

"I'll tell him." 

She gave me a small smile. "That's our time for the day. You can speak to the receptionist about scheduling for next week. Good luck, Michonne."

I nodded. "Thank you."

I got up from the comfortable seat that sat opposite Dr. Jannen's and exited the door. The receptionist looked at me as I approached the desk. She smiled at me. 

"Same time next week?"

I nodded.

"Same time next week." 

I pulled my phone out of my purse as I walked through the door and to my car. When I got in, I anxiously typed went to my messages app and clicked Rick's name. 

404-325-1101: Hey baby. Can you meet me at the park in 15? 

He took no time to respond.

404-915-1412: Hey. Everything okay? 

I chuckled as I read the message, hearing the deep Southern drawl that always felt like home to me.

404-325-1101: Yeah, everything's okay. 

404-915-1412: I'll be there.

404-325-1101: Love you. 

404-915-1412: Love you too

I let out a deep sigh as I felt the pit of my stomach tighten. I started the car and began making my way to the park. I felt like I was gliding through the air as I pulled up to the park we always took the kids to. Nothing felt real in this moment.

I got out of the car and began making my way toward him. The air was warm and but there was a cool breeze that created a contrast that every beautiful day should have. 

Rick stood up as I got closer. When we were just inches apart, he reached his hand out toward mine. I slowly brought mine to his and sighed. 

"What's wrong, baby?" 

He led me to the bench he'd just been sitting on and gently sat me on it alongside him.

"I need to tell you something, but before I do, I need you to promise me that you won't get upset."

He nodded hesitantly before chuckling and speaking again. "I can't make any promises," he joked, but his smile slowly dissipated after noticing the seriousness in my eyes. 

"I'm sorry," his grip on my hand got tighter as his eyes softened. 

I spoke slowly, making sure that I used gentle words like Dr. Jannen suggested I use. 

"Mike came to the house recently.. He laid his hands on me.." I paused to let him digest what I'd just said, then continued when I thought we were ready. "That is the reason that I've been so distant. It isn't you or the kids. And I haven't been going places with Sasha during the day. I've been going to therapy to learn how to cope with the trauma that he's caused me over the years."

I paused again, just to see if he wanted to speak, and when he didn't, I continued. 

"I don't want you to be angry. I just wanted to be able to give all of me to you. We're getting married in four months. I just wanted to learn how to cope before we got there." 

He grabbed my other hand as he prepared himself to speak. 

"You don't know how pissed I am right now," he spoke lowly. He sighed before speaking again. 

"Michonne, I love you. I don't ever want you to feel like you have to hide anything from me ever again. I love you so much." 

His eyes locked with mine. 

 "And that bastard is gonna get what's coming to him. But us? We can't keep secrets from each other. We have to always be honest with each other. Always. I thought I'd lost you for a minute. Anything that you feel like you need to get through alone, that's fine. We're human and it happens," he paused and collected himself before continuing, "But you can't shut me out. We have children, 'Chonne. We're vowing to live our lives together no matter what very soon. We're in this together." 

His gaze never left mine. I couldn't say the same for myself. He gently lifted my chin so that I'd make eye contact with him. 

"We're in this together. Right?"

I nodded as I felt a tear roll down my cheek. "Right."

He kissed my cheek softly and held me close to his chest. I could hear his heart beating and the world slowed down. I knew there were people passing by, but in that moment on the bench, it was just us. He looked down at me and smiled softly. I looked up at him.

"You ready to go home?" I spoke softly.

"Let's go home." 

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lol. this isn't what i expected to happen. i bet this isn't what yall expected to happen either 😂 either way, i hope yall enjoyed this . leave some more feedback for me and what you think will happen next (: 

also, sorry this is so late, but school has been ✨kicking✨ my ass. bear with me.

-lolfanfiics ❤️